Then the improvised army scattered.* * See Chapter IX, "Pioneers of the Old Southwest", by Constance Lindsay Skinner in "The Chronicles of America." While the conflict for supremacy in the South was still uncertain, in the Northwest the Americans made a stroke destined to have astounding results.

Virginia had long coveted lands in the valleys of the Ohio and the Mississippi.

It was in this region that Washington had first seen active service, helping to wrest that land from France.

The country was wild.

There was almost no settlement; but over a few forts on the upper Mississippi and in the regions lying eastward to the Detroit River there was that flicker of a red flag which meant that the Northwest was under British rule.